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503-986-1417

900 Court St. NE

Salem, OR 97301

rep.sherriesprenger

@state.or.us

Upcoming Events:

11/11: Veteran's Day

11/20-22: Legislative Days at the Capitol

11/28: Thanksgiving

Boys & Girls Club of Sweet Home welcomes Senior Branch Director

Friday's Chamber Forum in Lebanon was focused on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sweet Home and Lebanon. It's amazing what they are doing to help kids in our communities learn and grow.

At the forum, I visited with Mollie Kerins, Senior Branch Director-Sweet Home. The folks in Sweet Home are lucky to have someone of Mollie's skill level running the branch. Mollie is one of those people who will do anything it takes to help kids. As a parent, I'm thrilled to have her in Sweet Home.

Join me in welcoming Molle to Sweet Home!

Interim Update

The Legislative Assembly is now in Interim mode. This is the period between active legislative sessions. During this time, legislators work on rulemaking for legislation just passed during the 2013 session, participate in task forces on special issues, track the state's economic progress with relation to the budget, and prepare for the February session.

Though the interim can be a quiet time in the Capitol, it is a very busy time in House District 17. I've been able to be much more out and about during this interim than I can be during the session. I've had time to visit with many of you in person, at community events, or even at church and the grocery store. Oregon's citizen legislature means that this interim is the time for legislators to go home and be in their own communities. Citizens of states like California, with their "professional legislatures," don't enjoy this kind of access to their legislators.

And, while the Capitol is quiet this week, it will burst into activity during November legislative days. Once a quarter during the interim months, legislators gather in the Capitol for three days of committee meetings. Interim committee meetings allow legislators to hold informational meetings to learn more about specific subjects, as well as time to plan committee legislation to be introduced during the coming legislative session.

The next legislative days are scheduled for November 20, 21 and 22nd. Watch for another newsletter following the conclusion of November legislative days.

Legislation Planned

I'm now working on legislation to be introduced during the 2014 February session. Among other bills, I'm planning to reintroduce legislation that will allow a local school district and a local tribe to enter into an agreement to allow the use of a Native American mascot and which outlines the acceptable uses of the mascot. Like earlier legislation on this same subject, this bill is designed to promote a positive, mutual understanding between the sovereign tribes and our public schools.

I'm also working with several partners on legislation that would expand Oregon's loan forgiveness program for primary care providers in underserved areas of Oregon.

Watch for more details on these bills as they become available. If you have questions about the bills or how to access bill drafts in the Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS), please don't hesitate to contact my office.

Bryan Starr named Principal of the Year

Cheers for Scio High School Principal Bryan Starr, who was recently named Principal of the Year by the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA). Though Bryan is in just his fifth year at Scio High School, he has over 30 years as an educator to his credit.

Principal Starr has led Scio students to more than double their test scores in math, while making impressive gains in writing and reading, as well.

Join me in congratulating Principal Bryan Starr on this well-deserved honor.